Beyond Industry 4.0 – integrating Lean, digital technologies and people
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 4 April 2024
Issue publication date: 28 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide an overall framework that connects and explains a macro-perspective of the findings from the five studies of this special issue. Through this, we aim to answer two main questions: How can Lean and Industry 4.0 be integrated, and what are the outcomes for workers from such integration?
Design/methodology/approach
The special issue received 64 papers that were evaluated in multiple stages until this final sample of five papers that describe different facets of the integration between Lean and Industry 4.0 and their relationship with worker activities. In this introduction, we review the main findings of these five studies and propose an integrative view and associated propositions. A discussion provides directions to advance the field further.
Findings
The framework shows that when Lean and Industry 4.0 are integrated, companies will face two types of tensions, dialectical and paradoxical, which require different managerial approaches. By managing such tensions, the Lean-Industry 4.0 integration can help improve social performance, as well as develop systematic problem-solving and cumulative learning capabilities. Five important themes for this field of research are outlined: the importance of work routines, legitimation, competence, sense and mental flexibility.
Originality/value
This study brings a new theoretical perspective to the integration of Lean with Industry 4.0-related digital technologies. The results go beyond the usual view of improving operational performance and dig into the effects on workers. It also shows that the integration process relies on and can enhance human capabilities such as learning and problem-solving.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The lead author received financial support for this research from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq (process 422537/2021-7) and from the Research Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul – FAPERGS (21/2551-0002161-6). He is also a grant recipient of the CNPq Productivity Program (PQ 1D).
Citation
Frank, A.G., Thürer, M., Godinho Filho, M. and Marodin, G.A. (2024), "Beyond Industry 4.0 – integrating Lean, digital technologies and people", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 1109-1126. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-01-2024-0069
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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